Best Martin for Gigs and Live play under 1.5K?

[SalFromChatham]

I have a D15 with a Baggs M1 Passive. I use a Baggs Venue DI too.

This is my BEST live sound. The D15 cost me $1000. The Venue $250, and the PUP $150

Cost is all-in at $1400.

My second best live sound is a Tak P3NC with a CTB2.

Third best is my K&k equipped guitars with a red eye.

[JackB1]

The EF341SC was sold...it wasn't bad plugged in but was quite bright and tinny sounding. It would be a good choice if you prefer a bright Taylor-like sound.
Yes the DCPA4 is new. I am currently trying a Fishman Aura Spectrum pedal with it. I'll report back results soon.

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

I see in your sig that you have a Martin DCPA4 but no mention of a Tak EF341SC as was mentioned back in February. Is the Martin new?

[SKYHIGH]

GPC-16E (EIR/Sitka)

[JackB1]

Yes I've considered Cole Clarks. I don't really care for their extremely plain look and I've read they are very easy to ding and dent, which isn't what you want in a road guitar. They did sound pretty good amplified but had a very pronounced midrange to them. Wish there were more around locally to try though. Which model do you have?

Originally Posted by Methos1979

The best Martin's I ever had for live play (and I've had more than a few) were a 000-28EC with a DTAR Wavelength Multi-Source pickup system followed by a 000-18GE Custom with a K&K but the K&K needed a lot of help.

Both pale in comparison to the Cole Clarks I use now. Like the Tak's, just a supreme guitar for live play. You can pick up new ones from Australia for right around your budget. The American dollar is really strong against the Aussie dollar right now.

But if it's got to be a Martin, probably something in 15 or 17 series with your pickup of choice.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Yes I've considered Cole Clarks. I don't really care for their extremely plain look and I've read they are very easy to ding and dent, which isn't what you want in a road guitar. They did sound pretty good amplified but had a very pronounced midrange to them. Wish there were more around locally to try though. Which model do you have?

I haven't noticed that about the denting. I've bumped mine a couple times and was pleasantly surprised to see no contact mark where there would have been on most other guitars I've owned. Then again all of mine are the all-Blackwood models which is a very dense, harder wood. So maybe that's why? I don't worry much about dings on my live guitars though as that is just a fact of life.

I do agree about the 'plain' look, which is mostly brought on by the thin satin nitro finish they use. But as I got used to the look I came like it for its simplicity. I'm not a big fan of some of the looks of the wide and wild variations of the top woods they use, like the Redwoods with the very wide sapwood centers but I do like the wide grain Redwood tops with no sapwood center. All their tops seem to vary widely (and wildly) from guitar to guitar. Some I like, some not so much. But they all amplify very well which is the key for me.

[Woodshed]

I really like my Martin D-16GTE. You could find one used under that price. I liked it so much I bought a Martin D-16GT without the cutaway and installed a K&K mini. I like the combo a lot.

[JackB1]

Only issue with the 16GTE is that they have the old barn door type Aura installed. Once those preamps go, you are out of luck.

Originally Posted by Woodshed

I really like my Martin D-16GTE. You could find one used under that price. I liked it so much I bought a Martin D-16GT without the cutaway and installed a K&K mini. I like the combo a lot.

[6L6]

70's Martin D-28 with K&K.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by Woodshed

I really like my Martin D-16GTE. You could find one used under that price. I liked it so much I bought a Martin D-16GT without the cutaway and installed a K&K mini. I like the combo a lot.

I kinda like mine (D-16GT with JJB) too. You could probably find one for $700.